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Venezuela Says Inflation Rose to 180.9% in 2015

Central bank, in rare release of economic data, also says the economy contracted by 5.7%

By

Juan Forero and

Mayela Armas

Updated Feb. 18, 2016 3:42 p.m. ET

CARACAS, Venezuela—Venezuela’s central bank on Thursday said inflation last year surged to 180.9% and the economy contracted by 5.7%, reflecting the deep crisis here a day after President Nicolás Maduroannounced a package of economic adjustments economists say will do little to stabilize the country.

The central bank’s release of the figures, rare in Venezuela, underscored the economic difficulties facing ordinary Venezuelans. The bank said prices for food and beverages rose 315%, clothing by 146%, health care by 110.6% and...